PB&J Crunchy French Toast Sandwich

Again... like I've said before, I like Guy Fieri!  I was watching an episode a few days back and it was a fried foods special.  I thought, this one will be good to watch, but I should stay away from all the fried-goodness he's showing us.  HOWEVER - this morning, I just happen to have all the things to make one of the dishes and my boys were being good.  So then I thought, I'll make a 'special' peanut butter and jelly sandwich for them, for breakfast, since they absolutely love PB&J's!  I was unable to find Guy's original recipe from the show, but it wasn't too difficult, and I figured I could remember and wing my way through it.  So.... YUMMY.... here it is!! 

Peanut Butter and Jelly Crunch French Toast Sandwich

I crushed up 1/2 box of frosted flakes really well in my Ninja chopper.  Placed it in a large bowl.

Next I whisked together 1 1/2 C milk, 4 eggs (I'm making 4 sandwiches), cinnamon and vanilla extract.

Now it's time to make the sandwiches.... like normal.  My boys usually use grape jelly, but for this, I used strawberry preserves.  YUM!

Then.... just like french toast (sort of) I carefully dipped each sandwich into the milk/egg mixture then the frosted flakes mixture.  Making sure to gently press the cereal onto the sandwich, in hopes of them adhering.

Next melt a good sized blob of butter in a medium sized skillet.... about 1 - 2 Tbsp of butter.  Once melted and the skillet is super hot (but butter NOT burnt) put the sandwich in.  Try not to be a flipper.... or it'll just soak up the butter and not get crispy.  Let it sit for a bit... until slightly golden on the bottom.  Then flip and heat until golden brown on both sides.

 Once it's finished - I LIGHTLY salted the top of the sandwich and let it cool.  

I then cut it into small squares.

Once they were room temperature, we all sat down with our totally un-healthy sandwiches and glasses of milk..... and ENJOYED every bit of it!  

Each one of my boys asked if we could have it again tomorrow.... then again after.  I had to, sadly, tell them no.  There's no way we can eat this more than once every 6 months.... 

However, it was SUPER DELICIOUS!!  

SUPER, DUPER DELICIOUS!!!

Oh, Paula. Glazed Burger Beast!

So... I'm watching the Food Network channel like I do everyday.  I go back and forth sometimes, just to see what they're cooking and if it makes me hungry.  I stopped on Paula Deen's show today.  It caught my attention and looked absolutely yummy and absolutely horrific all at the same time. 

I wasn't sure if she was suggesting we actually make something like this and then actually eat it, or if it was a segment on what not to eat, so that her viewers can maintain their healthy lifestyle.  Then it occurred to me... well, it's Paula Deen.  The most beautiful, blue-eyed, southern momma on the Food Network channel.  However, anyone that keeps up with controversies in the news will know Paula Deen is not known for her healthy recipes.... only known for her scrumptious, decadent, gravy-smothered, butter-soaked combinations of southern goodness.  

Apparently her ladies were going to get together for a brunch and she needed to make a delicious burger.  So she came up with this - - bacon.  Eggs.  Burger.  And Glazed Doughnuts.  Yup.  YUP!

Online - there's enough controversy surrounding their burger to make you want to try it, just to spite all the health-freaks out there that enjoy blaming poor Momma Deen for how chubby America has gotten.  It's not her fault.  I can watch a million different cooking shows, each making my mouth water and I still have the ability to decide which recipe I'm going to try and which I'm going to enjoy from afar.  Far far afar.  

The blue-eyed beauty tempts me once again, with a burger on a glazed 'bun'.... but I, myself, have a weight problem and know this would clog my arteries and get stuck in my ass.  No one is making you eat this, just because Paula Deen made it on her show or fed it to her brunching ladies.  I'm sharing this with ya'll... cuz it looks SO yummy but does, actually, look like death on a plate.  

Want to see the show yourself?? 

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paulas-home-cooking/the-ladys-brunch-burger-recipe/index.html

If you try it and it's yummy.... let me know.

No judgement from me.

Juicy Beef Sandwiches

These sandwiches are quick & easy to make but taste like they come from a fancy sandwich shoppe.  I've made these in many different ways over the past few years and it's reached the place where we are happy & satisfied with the outcome!!  They are very yummy - - sure to please!!! 

Juicy Beef Sandwiches

3 pkgs of thin sliced sandwich roast beef (7-8oz per pkg)
1 can of Beef consomme
1 can of French Onion Soup
1 beef bullion cube
1/2 large white onion, sliced into slivers
Sour dough sandwich buns/rolls (makes about 6-8 sandwiches)
Pinches of your favorite white shredded cheese (I like Mozerella)
butter, parsley (dried), S&P, chili powder

**Additional options: Sliced mushrooms, sliced green beens, slivers of green peppers

1) Turn your oven on to the Broil setting....   Then in a large pan (I use my wok, I love my wok!!) combine the 2 cans of soup, 1 can of water, beef cube & a few pinches of dried parsley and heat on medium.  While that's working - slice up the onion & add into the pan... heat until boiling.  (This is where you'd add your other veggies, if you have it or want it.)  

2) Once boiling & the onions are tender: separate the sliced roast beef & put all the meat into the same pan with the soup.  Make sure you get it all mixed together and fully submerge the meat in the soup mixture.  Lower the heat to a little under medium and let 'simmer'.  

3) Meanwhile:  Open your buns/rolls & spread a thin layer of butter on each side & place open faced on an oven safe pan (a small pizza pan is what I use).  Lay down an even layer of shredded cheese on both sides of the buns, then lightly sprinkle parsley, garlic powder and chili powder on top of the cheese & place it under the broiler.  (This only takes a few minutes... maybe 4 or 5, before the cheese looks melted and bread gets a bit crunchy... yum.)

4) Once browned and melted take the buns out & top the bottoms with as little or as much of the roast beef as you like.  Put some reserved soup that your beef was cooking in into a small glass dipping dish for your sandwich.... place the lid on your sandwich and you're done!!  Enjoy!!